Rugby: In-form Cooper rejoins Aussies

Quade Cooper. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Quade Cooper is likely to make his return to test rugby in next week's third Bledisloe Cup match at Suncorp Stadium.

Cooper suffered a serious shoulder injury back in May but has shown good form in the NRC tournament for Brisbane City, and has been named in the Wallabies' 32-man squad.

The five-eighths is likely to come off the bench, but return is timely after the suspension of Kurtley Beale and injuries to other inside backs.

After losses to South Africa and Argentina sank the Wallabies' Rugby Championship campaign, coach Ewen McKenzie may be looking at the dead-rubber game against the All Blacks as a last chance for some of his underperforming stars.

ACT Brumbies flyer Henry Speight has also been included in the squad, but won't be considered for selection next Saturday as he finishes his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Speight is one of four uncapped members in the squad, with Western Force tighthead prop Tetera Faulkner and centre Kyle Godwin, and Melbourne Rebels winger Tom English.

Melbourne Rebels backrower Luke Jones has also received a call-up, after making his international debut for Australia in the second test against France in June.

Brumbies centre Matt Toomua is out after receiving a head knock in Australia's last game against Argentina in Mendoza, and Beale will not been considered until after a code of conduct hearing.

McKenzie will finalise his 23-man matchday squad next Tuesday but welcomed Cooper's return.

"You're always searching for the right balance of experience and youth in a squad, so it's pleasing to see Quade Cooper available once again and also a number of potential debutants putting their hand up for selection," he said.

Wallabies squad
Ben Alexander, Tetera Faulkner, Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, James Hanson, Josh Mann-Rea, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Scott Fardy, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Michael Hooper (c), Luke Jones, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Kyle Godwin, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom English, Israel Folau, Rob Horne, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane

- AAP